Dishwasher with a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into a treating chamber

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher for treating dishes according to any automatic cycle of operation may comprise a treating chamber having an access opening, a door selectively closing the access opening, and a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into the treating chamber. The dispenser may comprise a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face. The dispenser may further comprise a movable element movable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions. An actuator may move the movable element between the retracted and extended positions. When the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position may expel the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Contemporary automatic dishwashers for use in a home typically include a dispenser for automatically dispensing one or more treating chemistries at an appropriate time during an automatic cycle of operation. One common type of dispenser is a compartment with a lid disposed on the inside of a door closing the treating chamber, where the lid opens to release a liquid or solid detergent into the treating chamber of the dishwasher. However, the spraying system for treating articles within the treating chamber may be blocked, for example by utensils or plates, such that the treating chemistry is not fully expelled or sufficiently dissolved, resulting in poor wash performance. One solution to incomplete expelling is to use a detergent-filled bellows that is actuated by water pressure to force detergent through a delivery passage and into the treating chamber. However, this method may be expensive to implement and may not be amenable to solid treating chemistries.

Another solution is an ejection wheel and release shutter for ejecting spherical detergent tablets from a cartridge. However, this solution may also be expensive and may not be adaptable to liquid treating chemistries. Still another solution may comprise a dispensing valve located on a bottom side of a detergent reservoir and actuated by a bimetallic spring member that is heated to move a plunger actuating the dispensing valve. Unfortunately, the water spray of the dishwasher may not forcefully reach the bottom side of the reservoir and therefore leave a residue of treating chemistry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a dishwasher for treating dishes according to any automatic cycle of operation may comprise a treating chamber having an access opening, a door selectively closing the access opening, and a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into the treating chamber. The dispenser may comprise a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face. The dispenser may further comprise a movable element movable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions. An actuator may move the movable element between the retracted and extended positions. When the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position may expel the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face.

In another aspect, a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into a treating chamber of a dishwasher may comprise a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face, a movable element moveable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions, and an actuator moving the moveable element between the retracted and extended positions. When the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position may expel the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face.

In yet another aspect, a method for dispensing a treating chemistry into a treating chamber of a dishwasher from a dispenser cavity having a face open to the treating chamber may comprise moving a moveable element between a retracted position within the cavity to an extended position near the open face. The method may further comprise expelling through the face the treating chemistry within the cavity. The method may further comprise spraying liquid into the treating chamber after the expelling of the treating chemistry such that a portion of the liquid flows over the moveable element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a dishwasher with a dispenser, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a first embodiment of a treating chemistry dispenser with a sliding movable element and a membrane, where the movable element is shown in a retracted and an extended position.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a second embodiment of a treating chemistry dispenser with a sliding movable element and a membrane, where the movable element is shown in a retracted and an extended position.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a third embodiment of a treating chemistry dispenser with a sliding movable element and a scraper, where the movable element is shown in a retracted and an extended position.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a fourth embodiment of a treating chemistry dispenser with a pivoting movable element, where the movable element is shown in a retracted and an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As may be appreciated, based on the disclosure, there exists a need in the art for a treating chemistry dispenser that reliably expels a treating chemistry into the treating chamber of a dishwasher. Furthermore, there exists a need in the art for a treating chemistry dispenser that is readily cleanable by a water spray of the dishwasher following the expelling of the treating chemistry from the dispenser. Additionally, there exists a need in the art for a treating chemistry dispenser that works for liquid, solid, and powdered chemistries.

FIG. 1 is a schematic, side view of a dishwasher 10 for treating dishes according any automatic cycle of operation. Dishwasher 10 may include a chassis 12 defining a treating chamber 14 having an access opening 16. While the present invention is described in terms of a conventional dishwashing unit, it could also be implemented in other types of dishwashing units, such as in-sink dishwashers, multi-tub dishwashers, or drawer-type dishwashers. A controller 40 may be located within the chassis 12 and may be operably coupled by control lines 44 to a treating chemistry dispenser 20, a pump assembly 52, and a heater 56 for implementing one or more automatic cycles of operation. Dispenser 20 may dispense a treating chemistry 38 into treating chamber 14 during a cycle of operation. A user interface 42 may be provided on the dishwasher 10 and may be coupled with controller 40. The user interface 42 may include operational controls such as dials, lights, switches, and displays enabling a user to input commands, such as a cycle of operation, to the controller 40 and receive information. Access opening 16 may be selectively closable by door 18 which may be hingedly mounted to the chassis 12. A further elaboration of the dispenser 20 is provided below.

Continuing with FIG. 1, dish racks 68 may be located within the treating chamber 14 for receiving dishes to be treated. Racks 68 may be mounted for slidable movement in and out of the treating chamber 14 for ease of loading and unloading. As used in this description, the term “dish(es)” is intended to be generic to any item, single or plural, that may be treated in the dishwasher 10, including, without limitation; dishes, plates, pots, bowls, pans, glassware, silverware, and other utensils. A spraying system emitting wash liquid 50 may comprise an upper sprayer 62, a mid-level sprayer 64, a lower rotatable spray arm 66, and a spraying manifold 60. A cavity 22 and a rear wall 26 of dispenser 20 may be exposed to a spray of wash liquid 50 when lid 28 is open. Lid 28 may selectively close the open face 24 of the treating chemistry dispenser 20. Ideally, wash liquid 50 from sprayers 62, 64, and 66 may help to expel treating chemistry 38 from cavity 22 and may also clean rear wall 26 of dispenser 20. However, without further steps, dishes and portions of rack 68 may partially obstruct wash liquid 50 from fully dissolving and expelling treating chemistry 38 from cavity 22, and may prevent rear wall 26 from being cleaned of any residues of treating chemistry 38.

Referring still to FIG. 1, a liquid recirculation system may be provided for recirculating liquid from the treating chamber 14 to the spraying system. The pump assembly 52 may include both a drain pump (not shown) feeding drain line 54 and a recirculation pump. A heating system having a heater 56 may be located near the pump assembly 52 for heating wash liquid 50. A filtering system (not shown) may be fluidly coupled with the recirculation flow path for filtering the wash liquid 50.

Various embodiments of dispenser 20 will now be described, using like reference numerals to describe like elements. Starting with the two embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B, the dispenser 20 may comprise a sliding movable element 30 and may include a membranous rear wall 26 attached to a side 31 of a treating chemistry compartment 23. Compartment 23 may define cavity 22 with open face 24 and lid 28 may selectively close open face 24. Treating chemistry 38 may be placed within cavity 22 when lid 28 is open, normally prior to running an automatic cycle of operation (FIG. 5A). Movable element 30 may move within cavity 22 between a retracted 32 (FIGS. 2A, 3A) and an extended 34 position (FIGS. 2B, 3B). An actuator 36 may move movable element 30 between the retracted 32 and extended 34 positions, where the extended position may expel treating chemistry 38 from cavity 22 through open face 24. Actuator 36 and may comprise a wax motor (not shown), but may also be a linear actuator, a spring loaded device, or a magnetic or a thermally actuated mechanism. In an embodiment, the movable element may comprise a rear wall 26 of a treating chemistry compartment 23 and may be opposite open face 24. Lid 28 may pivot around lid pivot 70, or may pivot from one or more pivot locations on dispenser 20. Alternatively, lid 28 may slidably cover open face 24 or may engage compartment 23 by any other means know in the art. Additionally, lid 28 may comprise multiple lid sections (not shown) covering open face 24.

Continuing with FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B, in various embodiments, movable element 30 may also comprise an elastomeric membrane and which may be stretchable between the retracted 32 position within cavity 22 and the extended 34 position near the open face 24. Movable element 30 may be located behind the elastomeric membrane forming rear wall 26, and may extend 34 the elastomeric membrane from a retracted 32 position within cavity 22 to a position near open face 24. In FIGS. 2A-2B, an edge 29 of elastomeric membrane 26 may attach to a side 31 of compartment 23 recessed away from open face 24 such that the membrane 26 may be relatively relaxed in the retracted 32 position and may be stretched in the extended 34 position. In FIGS. 3A-3B, an edge 29 of elastomeric membrane 26 may attach to a side 31 of compartment 23 near open face 24 such that the membrane 26 may be stretched in the retracted 32 position and may be relatively relaxed in the extended 34 position. Membrane 26 may be co-formed with movable element 30 or may be adhered to movable element 30. An edge 27 of movable element 30 may be spaced from compartment 23 or may be positioned to slidably contact compartment 23.

FIGS. 4A-4B refer to a third embodiment similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-3B, with differences as follows. Movable element 30 may comprise the rear wall 26 of compartment 23 and may directly extend 34 to expel treating chemistry 38 without the use of an elastomeric membrane. Movable element 30 may slide within compartment 23, and an edge 27 of the element may be closely spaced against an inside of compartment 23 for moving substantially all of treating chemistry 38 toward treating chamber 14. The dishwasher may further comprise an element scraper 74 on movable element 30 that scrapes against a side 31 of the compartment 23 as the movable element 30 moves between the retracted 32 and extended 34 positions. For example, a scraper 74 may extend from an edge 27 of element 30 to the inside of compartment 23 and may move substantially all of the treating chemistry 38 within cavity 22 toward the open face during dispensing (FIGS. 4A-4B), thereby leaving no residue within cavity 22. Scraper 74 may be a rubber seal, or may be fabricated from at least one of plastic, metal, elastomer, or foam. Scraper 74 may be co-formed with movable element 30 and may be tapered toward the outer edge scraping against compartment 23.

In embodiments not shown, rear wall 26 may extend 34 toward open face 24 by an actuation 36 of water or air pressure located behind movable element 30. The water or air pressure may press against an elastomeric membrane attached to a side 31 of compartment 23 or may press against a rigid movable element 30, or against a combination of a rigid movable element and the elastomeric membrane. Advantageously, positioning rear wall 26 near open face 24 may better expose dispenser 20 to a spray of wash liquid 50 present during a portion of a cycle of operation of dishwasher 10. The cycle may include a spraying of wash liquid 50 within treating chamber 14 such that a portion of the liquid flows over element 30, and may thereby remove residual treating chemistry 38 from element 30. Dishwasher 10 may further comprise a separate sprayer (not shown) emitting a spray of wash liquid 50 directly onto movable element 30 in at least the extended 34 position.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, in a fourth embodiment, movable element 30 may pivotally mount to dispenser 20 and may be actuated 36 to move rear wall 26 from a retracted position 32 near the back of a triangular cavity 22 to an extended position 34 near open face 24. In an embodiment, movable element 30 may pivotally mount 72 to a side 31 of treating chemistry compartment 23. In another embodiment, the movable element 30 may change its shape to expel the treating chemistry. For example, movable element 30 may be an inflatable or expandable element sized to fill up cavity 22 and position rear wall 26 near open face 24 in the extended 34 position. Element 30 may then retract into a deflated or collapsed shape having a lower volume within cavity 30 when in the retracted position. Air or water pressure positioned behind element 30 may actuate 36 between the retracted 32 and extended 34 positions for the purpose of expelling treating chemistry 38. Lid 28 may selectively close the open face 24 of compartment 23 and may clasp the lid 28 in a closed position via lid catch 76. A spray of wash liquid 50 may expel treating chemistry 38 from cavity 22 and may clean rear wall 26 of dispenser 20 of any residue of chemistry 38 remaining after expulsion. A spray 50 of wash liquid from within treating chamber 14 may impinge on dispenser 20 directly or indirectly from internal sprayers 62, 64, and/or 66. Dishwasher 10 may further comprise a separate sprayer (not shown) emitting a spray of wash liquid 50 directly onto movable element 30 in at least the extended 34 position.

Many other possible embodiments and configurations in addition to that shown in the above figures are contemplated by the present disclosure. To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature cannot be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. Moreover, while “a set of” or “a plurality of” various elements have been described, it will be understood that “a set” or “a plurality” can include any number of the respective elements, including only one element. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose embodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dishwasher for treating dishes according to any automatic cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising: a treating chamber having an access opening; a door selectively closing the access opening; and a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into the treating chamber, the dispenser comprising: a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face, a movable element movable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions; an actuator moving the movable element between the retracted and extended positions; and wherein when the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position expels the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face.
 2. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a lid selectively closing the open face.
 3. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the compartment comprises a rear wall opposite the open face, with the rear wall forming the movable element.
 4. The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the movable element is pivotally mounted to the dispenser.
 5. The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the movable element slides within the compartment.
 6. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the movable element comprises an elastomeric membrane.
 7. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a sprayer that emits a spray onto the movable element in at least the extended position.
 8. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a wax motor.
 9. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a scraper on the movable element that scrapes against the compartment as the movable element moves between the retracted and extended positions.
 10. A dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into a treating chamber of a dishwasher, the dispenser comprising: a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face, a movable element movable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions; an actuator moving the movable element between the retracted and extended positions; and wherein when the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position expels the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face.
 11. The dispenser of claim 10, further comprising a lid selectively closing the open face.
 12. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the movable element comprises at least one of: a rear wall of the compartment opposite the open face; or an elastomeric membrane.
 13. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the movable element is at least one of: pivotally mounted to a side of the compartment; or slides within the compartment.
 14. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the movable element is sized to fill up the cavity.
 15. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the actuator is a wax motor.
 16. A method for dispensing a treating chemistry into a treating chamber of a dishwasher from a dispenser cavity having a face open to the treating chamber, the method comprising: moving a movable element between a retracted position within the cavity to an extended position near the open face to expel through the face treating chemistry within the cavity; and after the expelling of the treating chemistry, spraying liquid into the treating chamber such that a portion of the liquid flows over the movable element.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the spraying comprises spraying liquid directly on the movable element.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the movable element closes the face during at least a portion of the spraying.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising closing the open face with a lid after providing treating chemistry into the cavity.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising at least one of: pivoting the movable element from a side of a treating chemistry compartment defining the cavity; sliding the movable element within the cavity; or changing a shape of the movable element to expel the treating chemistry. 